Split bearing and method of making the same

ABSTRACT

A split bearing generally includes first and second bearing halves each having complementary partial shaft receiving portions, wherein the first and second bearing halves are substantially identically configured. The split bearing further includes fasteners for releasably coupling the first and second bearing halves together, such that when coupled, the complementary partial shaft receiving portions of the first and second bearing halves define a center bearing thru-hole for receiving a shaft, and when decoupled, the first and second bearing halves can be removed from the shaft.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplications Nos. 60/828,355, filed Oct. 5, 2006; 60/802,901, filed May23, 2006; and 60/802,611, filed May 22, 2006, the disclosures of whichare hereby expressly incorporated by reference.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This summary is not intended to identify key features ofthe claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid indetermining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a splitbearing is provided. The split bearing includes first and second bearinghalves each having complementary partial shaft receiving portions,wherein the first and second bearing halves are substantiallyidentically configured. The split bearing further includes means forreleasably coupling the first and second bearing halves together, suchthat when coupled, the complementary partial shaft receiving portions ofthe first and second bearing halves define a center bearing thru-holefor receiving a shaft, and when decoupled, the first and second bearinghalves can be removed from the shaft.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, aspherical split bearing is provided. The spherical split bearingincludes first and second bearing halves each having complementarypartial shaft receiving portions. The spherical split bearing furtherincludes means for releasably coupling the first and second bearinghalves together, such that when coupled, the complementary partial shaftreceiving portions of the first and second bearing halves define acenter bearing thru-hole for receiving a shaft, and when decoupled, thefirst and second bearing halves can be removed from the shaft.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, amethod of making a spherical split bearing is provided. The methodincludes obtaining first and second blocks, removably coupling the firstblock to the second block to form a combination block, boring a centerthru-hole through the combination block, and forming the combinationblock into a substantially spherical shape.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of thisinvention will become better understood by reference to the followingdetailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a split bearing formed in accordancewith various aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the bearing of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a plurality of split bearings of FIG. 1received on a shaft in an exemplary glass coating application;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a split bearing of FIG. 1 received on ashaft in an exemplary pillow block application;

FIG. 5 is a side, cross-sectional view of the bearing of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a first block of material used to manufacturethe bearing of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a side view of a second block of material used to manufacturethe bearing of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a side view of coupled first and second blocks of material ofFIGS. 6 and 7; and

FIG. 9 is a side view of coupled first and second blocks of material ofFIGS. 6 and 7, further including a center thru-hole.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A split bearing 100 constructed in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent disclosure may be best understood by referring to FIGS. 1 and 2.As best seen in FIG. 2, the bearing 100 includes first and secondbearing halves 102 and 104. The bearing halves 102 and 104 aresubstantially identically configured and are designed to becomplimentarily coupled to one another. In that regard, the bearing 100includes means for releasably coupling the first and second bearinghalves 102 and 104 together, shown as coupling device 106 and 108 in theillustrated embodiment.

As used in this context, the term “substantially identically configured”is intended to mean components that are geometrically shaped to benearly identical mirror images and include dimensional and geometricdifferences within ordinary and reasonable acceptable engineeringtolerances. Although it is preferred that the first and second halves102 and 104 are substantially identically configured, it should beapparent that other geometries, such as asymmetrical halves, are alsowithin the scope of the present disclosure.

A bearing 100 designed and configured in accordance with embodiments ofthe present disclosure is designed to be selectively splittable (i.e.,separated into first and second halves 102 and 104) by a user. In thisregard, the bearing 100 provides for ease of installation orreplacement, for example, on a shaft S (see, e.g., FIGS. 3 and 4) thatmay include a plurality of bearings, may be capped at its ends orotherwise engaged at other points along its length, or positioned in ahousing, such as a pillow block.

Referring to FIG. 3, a non-limiting example of a bearing 100 on a shaftS in a glass coating application is shown, in which sheets of glass areto be coated in a spray booth or dip chamber. In accordance with thecoating process, the sheets of glass are placed in a standingorientation, vertically between shafts S, for transportation along aconveyor (not shown). A plurality of bearings 100 are used to provide acushion for shock tolerance between the sheet of glass G and the shaftsS as the glass G travels on the conveyor. As described in greater detailbelow, the bearings 100 may be configured to rotate or roll togetherwith the shaft S relative to the sheet of glass G, or independently ofthe shaft S. It should be appreciated that the plurality of bearings 100may be spaced from one another with spacers (not shown), for example,spacers received on the shaft or protrusions from the shaft itself, forspacing therebetween on a shaft S.

Referring to FIG. 4, as another non-limiting example, a bearing 100designed and configured in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure can be used as an internal component in a pillow blockapplication. In that regard, the top portion of the pillow block B canremoved from the base portion, and the split bearing 100 can beinstalled or replaced around the shaft S without requiring removal ofthe shaft S from the base portion of the pillow block B or of any drivecomponents installed on the shaft S. As described in greater detailbelow, the bearing 100 may be configured to rotate or roll together withthe shaft S relative to the pillow block B, or to remain stationary withthe pillow block B.

As may be best seen by referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the bearing 100 ofthe illustrated embodiment has a spherical design, and the first andsecond halves 102 and 104 have complementary partial shaft receivingportions 106. In that regard, the first and second halves 102 and 104are substantially C-shaped, such that each half includes acentrally-located arcuate section 106 (see FIG. 2). When the first andsecond bearing halves 102 and 104 are coupled to one another, thearcuate sections 106 define a center thru-hole 108 in the bearing 100.

It should be appreciated that while the first and second halves 102 and104 are substantially C-shaped in the illustrated embodiment toaccommodate a shaft having a substantially circular cross-section, otherinner designs are within the scope of the present disclosure dependingon the cross-sectional shape of the shaft. For example, if the shaft issubstantially square or rectangular in cross-sectional shape, the firstand second halves may be substantially V-shaped, having a centrallylocated cornered section, instead of an arcuate section. Further,although the illustrated embodiment is configured in a spherical shape,it should be appreciated that other non-spherical split bearing designsare also within the scope of the present disclosure, including, but notlimited to, cylindrical and polyhedra three-dimensional designs. Theshape of the bearing depends on the application for which it isdesigned.

The means for releasably coupling the first and second bearing halves102 and 104 may include, but is not limited to, coupling devices, suchas screws, bolts, rivets, pins, clamps, clips, snap-fit devices,dual-lock reclosable fasteners, hook and loop fasteners, slidinglyengagable interfaces between the first and second halves 102 and 104,and other means for releasably coupling with one another. It should beappreciated that the strength required for a suitable coupling devicemay depend on the specific application that the bearing 100 is to beused in. For example, in low stress application, a hook and loopfastener may be a suitable releasable coupling device; however, inhigher stress applications, a hook and loop fastener may not adequatelymaintain its coupling bond, and bolts or screws may be a preferred meansfor releasably coupling the first and second bearing halves 102 and 104.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the coupling deviceincludes first and second screw fasteners 110 and 112. The first half102 further includes first and second bores 114 and 116 for receivingthe first and second fasteners 110 and 112. In the illustratedembodiment, the bores 114 and 116 are countersunk to form an interiorshoulder within each of the bores for maintaining the fastener headflush with or below the outer surface of the bearing 100.

The first and second fasteners 110 and 112 are sized and configured tobe received within the second bearing half 104, for example, withincorrespondingly located and configured retention holes 118 and 120 inthe second half 104 (see FIG. 2). It should be appreciated that suitablythreaded retention holes 118 and 120 may be formed in the second half104 for cooperating with threaded fasteners 110 and 112, such as screws,to simplify assembly.

To attach the bearing 100 to a shaft S (see, e.g., FIGS. 3 and 4), thefasteners 110 and 112 are removed, such that the first and second halves102 and 104 separate from one another, as best seen in the exploded viewof the bearing 100 in FIG. 2. Thereafter, the first and second halves102 and 104 can be placed around the diameter of the shaft S such thatthe shaft S is disposed within the center thru-hole 108 defined by thearcuate sections 106 of the first and second halves 102 and 104.

As may be best seen by referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, the bearing 100 mayoptionally include an attachment device 122 for releasably securing thebearing 100 in a specific position along the shaft S or in a specificorientation relative to a surrounding housing, for example, the pillowblock B of FIG. 4. In one embodiment, the attachment device 122 isconfigured as a pin, such as a roll pin or a threaded pin. The pin 122is suitably received, such as threadably received (see FIGS. 2 and 5),within a third bore 124 in the first half 102. The pin 122 can be used,for example, to engage a hole or a groove (not shown) in the shaft S tosecure the bearing 100 in a specific position along the length of theshaft S (see FIG. 3). If the pin 122 is received in a hole in the shaftS, the bearing 100 will rotate (or remain fixed) together with the shaftS. If the pin 122 is received in a groove in the shaft S, the bearing100 will rotate independently of the rotation of the shaft S, but willmaintain a specific position along the length of the shaft S. To removethe bearing 100 from the shaft S, the pin 122 is removed from the thirdbore 124 and the bearing 100 is split into first and second halves 102and 104 by disengagement of the means for releasably coupling thehalves.

Alternatively, the pin 122 may be configured to engage a hole (notshown) in the interior portion of the pillow block B in the illustratedembodiment of FIG. 4 to secure the bearing 100 in a specific position inthe pillow block B. If the pin 122 is received in a hole in the interiorportion of the pillow block B, the bearing 100 will not rotate with theshaft S, but will remain stationary with the pillow block B. Asdescribed similarly above with respect to the shaft S, to remove thebearing 100 from the pillow block B, the pin 122 is removed from thethird bore 124 and the bearing 100 is split into first and second halves102 and 104 by disengagement of the means for releasably coupling thehalves.

It should be appreciated, however, that other securement means besidespins may be used in conjunction with bearings of the present disclosure.As a non-limiting example, the bearing 100 may have an interference fitwith the shaft or the pillow block to secure the bearing 100 on theshaft or in the pillow block.

Bearings 100 designed in accordance with embodiments described hereinmay be formed from any suitable materials or composites, includingplastic or metal materials and composites, whether lubricated orself-lubricated. Suitable materials may have some or all of thefollowing properties, such as high abrasion resistance, high impactstrength, a low friction coefficient, chemical resistance, dielectricproperties, and resistance to weather and aging. Suitable plasticmaterials include, but are not limited to, fluoropolymers, polyketones,polyimides, sulfone and sulfide polymers, and nylons. In one embodiment,the first and second bearing halves 102 and 104 are constructed from ahigh temperature material, such as a material capable of withstanding atemperature of at least about 400° F. High temperature materials thatmay be practiced with embodiments of the present disclosure include, asa non-limiting example, 400° F. polytetrafluoroethylene (i.e., PTFE,also known as Teflon®). When constructed of a high temperature material,the bearing 100 may be used in high temperature applications, such asprotecting glass or other products from manufacturing damage, forexample, in power transmission applications. Although constructing thefirst and second halves 102 and 104 from the same material is disclosed,it should be apparent that bearing halves constructed from differenttypes of materials or composites are also within the scope of thepresent disclosure.

A method of manufacturing the bearing 100 may be best understood byreferring to FIGS. 6-9. Referring to FIG. 6, bearing starting material,such as 400° F. polytetrafluoroethylene material, is cut into solidblocks 200. Referring to FIG. 7, one of the solid blocks 200 is drilledout to include first, second, and third bores 114, 116, and 124, all ofwhich can be suitably configured and located to extend through the widthof the solid block 200. In the illustrated embodiment, the first andsecond bores 114 and 116 are countersunk bores, each having an interiorshoulder. As described above, the first and second bores 114 and 116 aresuitably sized and configured to receive fasteners 110 and 112. Thethird bore 124 is suitably sized and configured to receive an attachmentdevice 122, such as a pin. Therefore, the resulting block 200 is a outblock 202 having a plurality of bores 114, 116, and 124.

As best seen in FIG. 8, the first drilled out block 202 is releasablycoupled to a second undrilled block 204 by a coupling device, such asfasteners. As a non-limiting example, first and second fasteners 110 and112 are positioned within the first and second bores 114 and 116, torest at the shoulders of the bores 114 and 116, such that the fasteners110 and 112 protrude from one end of the first drilled out block 202.The second undrilled block 204 is aligned and joined with the firstdrilled out block 202, such that the first and second fasteners 110 and112 are coupled to (i.e., screwed into) the second undrilled block 204.Suitably threaded retention holes 118 and 120 (see FIG. 2) may be formedin the second block 204 for cooperating with fasteners 110 and 112 tosimplify assembly.

After the two blocks 202 and 204 are aligned and joined together by thefirst and second fasteners 110 and 112, a center thru-hole 108 is boredthrough the first and second blocks 202 and 204. The center thru-hole108 is suitably positioned between the first and second blocks 202 and204, such that when the blocks 202 and 204 are disassembled from oneanother, each block includes a complementary partial shaft receivingportion, for example, an arcuate portion 106, which define the centerthru-hole 108.

Now returning to FIG. 5, after the center thru-hole 108 has been boredthrough the coupled first and second blocks 202 and 204, the blocks 202and 204 are formed and deburred, for example, by a lathe or othermulti-dimensional forming device, into a desired shape (e.g., spherical,as seen in the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2) of a bearing 100having first and second bearing halves 102 and 104 and a centerthru-hole 108.

While illustrative embodiments have been illustrated and described, itwill be appreciated that various changes can be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

1. A method of making a spherical split bearing, comprising: (a)obtaining first and second blocks; (b) boring first and second bores inthe first block, wherein the first and second bores are configured toreceive fasteners; (c) removably coupling the first block to the secondblock to form a combination block; (d) boring a center thru-hole throughthe combination block; and (e) forming the combination block into asubstantially spherical shape; wherein removably coupling the firstblock to the second block to form a combination block includes insertingfasteners within the first and second bores, such that the fastenersextend from the first block and are received within the second block;wherein the first and the second bores are countersunk bores, eachhaving an interior shoulder, the bores being sized and configured toaccept a fastener having a head and a body such that, when the fastenersare inserted to extend from the first block and received within thesecond block, the fastener heads abut the shoulders in the first andsecond countersunk bores and the fasteners are entirely embedded withinthe combination block.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprisingboring a third bore in the first block, wherein the third bore isconfigured for releasably receiving an attachment device for releasablysecuring the bearing in a specific position along a shaft insertedthrough the thru-hole.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the attachmentdevice is a pin.
 4. A method of making a spherical split bearing,comprising: (a) obtaining first and second blocks; (b) boring first andsecond bores in the first block, wherein the first and second bores areconfigured to receive fasteners; (c) removably coupling the first blockto the second block to form a combination block; (d) boring a centerthru-hole through the combination block; (e) boring a third bore in thefirst block, wherein the third bore is radially aligned with thethru-hole and is configured for releasably receiving an attachmentdevice for releasably securing the bearing in a specific position alonga shaft inserted through the thru-hole; and (f) forming the combinationblock into a substantially spherical shape; wherein removably couplingthe first block to the second block to form a combination block includesinserting fasteners within the first and second bores, such that thefasteners extend from the first block and are received within the secondblock; wherein the first and the second bores are countersunk bores,each having an interior shoulder, the bores being sized and configuredto accept a fastener having a head and a body such that, when thefasteners are inserted to extend from the first block and receivedwithin the second block, the fastener heads abut the shoulders in thefirst and second countersunk bores and the fasteners are entirelyembedded within the combination block.
 5. The method of claim 4, whereinthe attachment device is a pin.